Perforce - Architecture - Server - Depot

Depot

Versioned file content is stored in a master directory hierarchy whose top levels are called "depots". Text file revisions are stored as RCS deltas and binary file revisions are stored in their entirety.

The encoding used for text files in the repository is either ASCII or UTF-8, depending on Perforce server configuration. Repository files are not encrypted. Revisions that are branches or copies of other revisions are virtual copies within the repository. All revisions are preserved by default; limits can be set on the number of revisions preserved. Obsolete revisions and files can be purged by the administrator. Repository files must be included in regular system backups.

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